WHEN: Feb. 14-16
WHERE: Huntsville, Texas | Sam Houston State University
OPPONENTS: Loyola (Chicago), Feb. 14, 10 a.m.; Sam Houston State, Feb. 14, 4:45 p.m.; Loyola (Chicago), Feb. 15, 10 a.m.; Houston Baptist, Feb. 15, 4:45 p.m.; Providence, Feb. 16, 10 a.m.
COVERAGE: LIVE STATS
FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team (0-5) will play in the Bearkat Classic in Huntsville, Texas from Feb. 14-16 at the Bearkat Softball Complex.
The weekend classic will include Loyola (Chicago), Sam Houston State (host team), Houston Baptist and Providence.
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
The Patriots are opening the softball season in Florida for the sixth straight season.
Last season, Mason began the campaign with 10 straight contests in Florida, going 3-5 to start the season (two games canceled). The Green & Gold participated in the Friends of Jaclyn Tournament (Orlando, Fla.) from Feb. 8-10 and the Madeira Beach tournament (Madeira Beach, Fla.) from Feb. 15-17.
THE 2020 PATRIOTS
Mason returns 16 letter winners to their roster, including junior infielder Amelia Ely who transferred in from the University of Albany.
The Patriots retain the entirety of their pitching staff, led by redshirt senior Marina Vitalich, graduate student Bekah Ansbro and junior Haellie Gordon. Vitalich and Ansbro are both in the top five in Mason history for all-time strikeouts, along with earning the top two spots in career saves.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Loyola Chicago, (3-2)
Senior Jessica Shields is leading the Ramblers in batting average (.556), runs (seven) and hits (10). Junior Allyson Ivey recorded a team-high seven runs batted in over the weekend, coupled with two doubles and three runs while batting .400.
Loyola hosted the Rambler Rumble Tournament in Rosemont, Ill. last weekend, defeating University of Nebraska-Omaha, Butler and IUPUI.
Sam Houston State (2-3)
The Bearkats defeated the Patriots twice last weekend in DeLand, Fla. in the Stetson Lead-Off Classic.
In the first contest, Mason came back from a six-run deficit to take the game to extras but could not pull out a victory, falling 7-6 in eight innings. The Bearkats defeated the Patriots for a second time by a score of 6-1 last Saturday.
Sam Houston State, the defending regular season and conference champions in the Southland Conference, competed in the 2019 NCAA Regional Tournament as well. Sam Houston St. won their first contest versus Texas in the bracket, but dropped the following two.
Houston Baptist (4-2)
The Huskies have started the season with four wins, coming against Alabama A&M (twice), Louisiana Tech and Jackson State in the Big Easy Classic.
Freshman Avery Drake currently leads Houston Baptist with a batting average of .500 (in 19 plate appearances) and an OBP of .500.
Providence (0-0)
The Friars have yet to begin their 2020 campaign.
Providence finished last season with an overall record of 30-22 and a record of 11-9 in the BIG EAST. Providence finished third conference before falling in the conference semifinals.
The Friars return six of their nine starters from the 2019 season. During the 2019 season, senior Mackensie Compton recorded a .314 batting average with 33 hits, 16 RBI and four home runs. Sophomore Jessica Tomaso earned a .286 batting average, 25 RBIs and finishing tied for the team lead in home runs (five) in her rookie campaign.
